Homegoing service for Mr. James Willford Bell, December 5, 1941, February 19, 2009, Saturday, February 28, 2009, Gilbert Lambuth Chapel, Paine College, 1235 15th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, Rev. C. D. Roberts, pastor, officiating

J-Comegoing Service
fo r
M r. Jam es JViCforcC'BeCC

December 5,1941

JeBruary 19,2009

Saturday, February 28, 2009
(gdbert Lam buth Cbapeb Taine CoCCege
1235 i5tfl Street
^Augusta, Cjeorgia 30901
'Rev. C D. Roberts, Tastor, Officiating

In the early morning of Thursday, February 19, 2009, God reached into his garden and plucked the flower of James Wilford Bell.

James was born on December 5,1941, in Bessemer, AL, to the late York and Annie Mae Stanton Bell, Jr. He was the fourth of seven siblings and was preceded in death by his brothers Toney Lee and Clarence, his wife, Joann and his granddaughter Kurtrina Bell.

At a very young age James gave his life to Christ and became a member of Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church. He was a graduate of Dunbar High School in Bessemer and upon graduation received a full music scholarship to Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee where he participated in the Marching 100 Band and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Music.

After graduating, James began his teaching career at Jasper High School in

Ridgeland, SC. where he met and married the late Joann Jones Bell. He also

served 3 years in the United States Army 327th Marching Band and was

honorably discharged in 1972. He returned to teaching and completed his

career as a Band Director in the Burke County School System, which

included the Burke County High School and Blakeney Elementary School in

Waynesboro, GA. Before retiring in 1997, he was honored as an outstanding

educator in the county. Added to his other accolades, he was also a member

of the Epsilon Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the Augusta

Chorale.

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After his retirement, James became an active member of Elim Baptist Church

in Augusta, GA and began performing with the R. L. Boyd Chorus, Mass

Choir, Sanctuary Choir and Youth Choir. A dedicated warrior to his

profession, Mr. Bell, affectionately called at Elim, continued serving the Lord,

at Elim and with Elim on program at other churches, even during his illness.

Mr. Jam es 'Sug' W ilford B ell leaves to cherish his memories three sons, Kenneth James (Trina) Bell, of Knoxville, TN, Curtis Wilford Bell and Kelvin Christopher Bell of Augusta; beloved grandchildren, Devin Bell and Desmond Smith of Augusta, three sisters, Mrs. Georgia Mae Griffin and Mrs. Alberta Phillips of Detroit, MI, Mrs. Martha Ree Bell (Bernard) McShane of Bessemer, AL; one brother, Mr. Ed Bell of Bessemer, AL; God daughter, Nicole Ingram of Augusta; a special niece, Patricia Sims of Atlanta, and a very special friend Ms. Cleo Ghant of Augusta, along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

James was deeply loved by his family, friends and the community and will be greatly missed.

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ORDER OF S E R V I C E

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P resid in g .................................................................. Minister Jarvis Ellis

Elim Baptist Church
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IS

P rocessional............................................................ .................Musicians

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Song Selection....... "W alk in the Light"... R. L. Boyd Mass Choir

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Elim Baptist Church

Invocation......................................... Reverend C. D. Roberts, Pastor Elim Baptist Church

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Instrumental Tribute..............Kelvin Bell & Mrs. Doris Robertson "Just A Closer Walk with Thee" Arr. Mr. James Bell
Scriptures Old Testament........................................................... Rev. T. L. Franklin
Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church
New Testam ent................................................................Rev. Don Long Pierce Grove Baptist Church

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Resolutions.......Elim Baptist Church............ Mrs. Ann N. Johnson Augusta Chorale..................Dr. Phyllis Anderson

Silent Reading of the Obituary

soft music

Acknowledgments.......................................... Mrs. Marlene W atkins Song Selection............."It's All O v er"......... R. L. Boyd Mass Choir

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Eulogy........................................................... Rev. C. D. Roberts, Pastor

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Elim Baptist Church

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Recessional............"G oin Up Y ond er"........ R. L. Boyd Mass Choir

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Interm ent................................................ Mt. Olive Memorial Gardens

Repast Elim Baptist Church

Active Fall Bearers

Charles Carson-Neighbor

Zettis Wilson-Family Friend

Men of the Augusta Chorale

Honorary Pall Bearers
Deacons of Elim Baptist Church
Flower Bearers
Women of the Augusta Chorale

PARTING WORDS
'To m y sons A n d to aCCthose whose Cives I have touch
D o n 't w orry about me, don't he s a d A n d d o n 't have any sorrow as I p a ss along
To he w ith the L o r d I 'CChe alright.
M r. Jam es "Sug " IVitforcC'BeCC
JlcknowCecCgements
l e are m ost g r a te fu l to (godfor the g ifts o ffrien d s hike you who have been so th o u g h tfu l andgenerous, yourjrrayers, cads, words o f encouragem ent, flow ers a n d the m any acts o f kindness, both seen a n d unseen, have truly g iven us strength a n d in spiration during this tim e. Thank you a n d m ay (god
continue to hCess each a n d every one o f you. The fa m ily .
- Trograms-Edm Baptist ChurchEL A . V ent Jhstoric Undertaking 'Establishment
930 V 'Antignac Street, Augusta, (JA In charge